PLEASE NOTE: Hybrid rules on I-95 will soon change as the HOV lanes are being converted and new lanes are being constructed to create 27 miles of high occupancy toll (express) lanes between Route 610 in Stafford County and Edsall Road in Fairfax County. Scheduled completion is early 2015. Visit www.95expresslanes.com for details on what hybrid vehicle drivers need to know and how to prepare to use the 95 Express Lanes

Until the I-95 Express Lanes openHybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 may use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during HOV hours (6 a.m.-9 a.m.; 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday). During these times police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have three people on board OR a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2006.

When the I-95 Express Lanes open in early 2015Hybrid vehicles must have an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex and pay a toll or have three people in the car (HOV-3) to use the lanes. Section 33.1-56.1. of Virginia law defines who may and may not use high occupancy toll lanes without paying a toll. About 13 percent of the 75,000 hybrid drivers in Virginia hold a 2006 special clean fuel plate license plate and will be impacted by this change.

The inner lanes on I-395 from north of Edsall Road to Washington, D.C. will remain traditional HOV lanes. Hybrids with clean fuel plates issued prior to July 1, 2006 will continue to be able to use these HOV lanes without having three people in the car.

Hybrid rules on I-66:

Hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2011 may use the HOV lanes on I-66 during HOV hours with one occupant. Inside the Beltway, all lanes are HOV-2 from 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m. eastbound, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. westbound, Monday through Friday. Outside the Beltway, the left lane is HOV-2 from 5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. eastbound, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. westbound, Monday through Friday. During these times police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have two people on board or a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2011. This exemption is in place until further notice.

Hybrid rules on the Dulles Toll Road:

Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on the Dulles Toll Road during rush hour with one occupant. This exemption is in place until further notice.

Hybrid rules on I-64 and I-264 in Hampton Roads:

Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in Hampton Roads on the I-64 and I-264 HOV lanes during rush hour with one occupant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What types of vehicles qualify for clean fuel license plates?

Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates. A complete list of eligible hybrids is available on the DMV website. SmartCars are not hybrids, so they do not qualify for clean fuel plates.

How do I get clean fuel license plates?

The clean fuel plates cost $25 annually and you must apply for them through DMV. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains the list of hybrid vehicles that qualify for clean fuel plates. If you have a hybrid vehicle not on the DMV list you cannot apply for clean fuel plates.

A clean fuel plate can be transferred to a new hybrid as long as the vehicle it is being transferred to qualifies for the clean fuel plate.

Can I use Virginia's HOV lanes in my hybrid vehicle even though my car is registered in Maryland?

No. For a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia's HOV lanes, you must have Virginia clean special fuel license plates. This is the only way we have to monitor the use of these lanes when there is only one individual in a car. For Virginia to honor Maryland plates,we would need a reciprocal agreement between the two states, and no such agreement exists.

I'm pregnant. Do I count as one person or two?

In the HOV world, you're one person. Babies of any age, however, count as a person.

I have a two-seater vehicle. Can I use the HOV-3 lanes?

No. To use the HOV-3 lanes, you must have three people in your vehicle.

I got a ticket for traveling alone in the HOV lanes -- but I entered the HOV lanes several minutes before the HOV restriction went into effect. What gives?

If you do not have the minimum number of people in your vehicle when the restriction begins, you are a violator - even if you entered the lanes before the restriction began. The bottom line is, you must have the required number of people in your vehicle anywhere in the lanes during HOV hours.

Why are HOV lane restrictions lifted when there is an accident? Doesn't VDOT want to reduce congestion and pollution by encouraging carpooling?

VDOT strives to encourage carpooling to reduce congestion and pollution on our highways, so we seldom lift HOV restrictions. Decisions to lift HOV restrictions are made in conjunction with, or at the request of Virginia State Police. Police only make such a request if an accident is deemed to be a major incident that will take an extended period of time to clear.

It is frustrating to see solo drivers enjoying the HOV lanes when you are "playing by the rules," but you will notice that even during snow conditions, HOV lane restrictions are not lifted unless the main lanes are blocked.

Rules

During HOV hours, any vehicle that has the designated number of people (HOV-2 or 3) can use the HOV lanes. During all other times, they are open to all vehicles, except when the I-95/395 and I-64/264 reversible lanes are closed.

1. Motorcycles are permitted to use HOV lanes throughout Virginia during HOV hours.

2. Motorists traveling to and from Dulles International Airport to go to the airport to board a flight or to pick someone up at the airport are permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway (I-495) during HOV hours. Motorists traveling to or from Dulles International Airport are not exempt from HOV restrictions on I-66 outside the Beltway (I-495). You are not permitted to use I-66 inside the beltway during HOV hours if you are going to the airport to eat, get coffee, get gas or any other reason other than boarding a plane or picking someone up at the airport.

4. Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue) and law enforcement vehicles are exempt. Public utility vehicles are permitted to use HOV lanes when responding to emergency calls.

5. On most interstates in northern Virginia, trucks are permitted to use HOV lanes if they have the required number of people. Tractor trailer trucks are not permitted on the HOV lanes in the Hampton Roads area or on I-66 inside the Beltway at any time. Trucks with more than two axles are not permitted on the I-495 Express Lanes.

6. Buses designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.

7. Taxicabs with two or more people, including the driver, are permitted.

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